Permits

The IL Department of Natural Resources, Office of Land Management requires any group of 25 or more persons who use Department facilities to have advance written permission (GROUP USE PERMIT) from the Site Superintendent or Site Manager.

Further, regardless of group size, the Department may require additional liability coverage be provided through an ACTIVITY PERMIT. Site managers may deny the request if the faciilties are not adequate to handle the size of the group, if public health or safety might be compromised, if the liabilty risk to the Department is too great or if there would be adverse impacts to natural resources at the site.

As a general rule, Group Use Permits are to be used for groups of 25 or more requesting traditional recreational use (for that site) of any facility (shelter, picnic area, etc.). Site managers have sole authority to grant or deny these permits.

Activity Permits are to be used whenever a non-traditional use of any facility is requested (example - a request for church Fun Fest with small carnival rides) and/or any activity that might increase potential liability to the Department (example - search and rescue teams practicing on rock faces). These requests need to be made at least 21 days in advance of the activity and forwarded to to the Regional Office for processing.

Activity permits are not needed for the following activities:

Food or goods are sold, fees are charged or when money changes hands in any manner among the organizers, spectators and/or participants. Use PERMIT TO SELL

Non-recreational activities take place, such as ingress-egress, survey or utility work, construction, etc.

Military Activity will take place. Military Training is restricted to the four State Forests.

Fishing Tournaments.

Group Camping or if the Group Use Permit would suffice.

Special Events permits are used.

Guidelines for completing Activity Permits:

The individual(s) or group (PERMITTEE) requesting the activity must complete and sign the Activity Permit and submit to the Site Superintendent at least 21 days prior to the event. This requirement can be waived at the discretion of the Site Superintendent.

If activity requires set-up or wrap-up on site, include those dates in the permit